Diving Vacation Philippines - Dive Safari Tubbataha & Negros
Travel period
Features
Starting from
Discover remote diving in Negros - Philippines
Do you want to dive in a place where almost no one goes? Then this trip to the Cagayan Islands is one of the most unique diving vacations in the Philippines. This remote archipelago is located in the Sulu Sea, on the outskirts of the Tubbataha Reef National Marine Park. Normally, these dive sites are only accessible by liveaboard, but thanks to a small-scale eco-camp, you can also dive here from an island. You’ll combine this unique adventure with a stay on the tranquil island of Cauayan, where you can enjoy relaxed boat dives among colorful coral reefs and a wide variety of marine life.
Your journey begins at the charming Amila Resort on Cauayan, where you’ll spend a few days exploring the surrounding reefs. Then you’ll board a small Cessna for a spectacular flight to the remote Cagayan Islands. Here, you’ll stay in a comfortable bungalow or luxury safari tent and go diving on reefs known for their healthy corals, steep walls, schools of barracuda, sharks, sea turtles, and other impressive marine life.
This trip is ideal for divers looking for peace and quiet, unspoiled nature, and dive sites where you rarely encounter other divers. The combination of an exclusive island experience, small-scale accommodations, and spectacular dives makes this one of the most unique diving trips in the Philippines.
Best travel time for a diving vacation to Negros in the Philippines
The best time to go on a diving vacation to Negros, located in the Western Visayas, is basically any time of year. However, the rainy season runs from July through October. There may be the occasional shower during this time, but it usually clears up quickly. Thanks to the warm weather, you’ll dry off quickly. Typhoons can also occur during this period.
Average Temperatures
Wetsuit advice for diving in the Philippines
High season is from December to June. Then a 3mm, shorty or even a skin is sufficient. From July through November it is colder and we recommend a 3 or 5mm if you are chilly.
What will you experience on this diving vacation?
View itinerary here
Days 1–3 | The Trip to the Philippines
Today you’ll fly to Cebu or Manila Airport. Most flights depart in the evening, so you’ll arrive the following afternoon. This makes it seem like a flight lasting about 22 hours, but that includes a 6-hour time difference. We’ll discuss which airport to fly from together, as there are several options from Amsterdam, Brussels, and Düsseldorf. This is followed by a domestic flight to Bacolod. Depending on the arrival time of the international flight, we’ll arrange a hotel near the airport, and the next day we’ll travel via Bacolod to the Amila Dive Beach Resort.
The domestic flight takes about 50 minutes from Cebu and 1 hour and 25 minutes from Manila. The transfer from Bacolod to the resort takes just over 3 hours.
Once you arrive, it’s time to settle into your room and get informed about the layout of your dive vacation for the next few days.
Days 4–6 | Diving at Cauagan
We’ll start this diving vacation off gently with dives at Cauagan. After a delicious breakfast, you’ll walk into the Easy Diving dive center. The dive center is located at the Amila Dive & Beach Resort, where you’ll be staying for 5 nights. You’ll walk there barefoot across the sand. Over the next few days, you’ll go on two dives each day at various dive sites located 5 to 20 minutes away by boat.
With pristine coral reefs and huge diversity of marine life, the clear tropical waters of Negros Occidental offer a fantastic base for a diving vacation in the Philippines.
Imagine a brightly colored soft coral garden, a shipwreck full of colorful fish or dive into the history of a World War II wreck. There are dozens of beautiful dive sites around the islands of Sipalay and Cauayan. They also offer dives along steep walls, in small caves, near an abandoned pier, critter hunting, and fluorescent night dives. If you’re a fan of underwater photography, they can definitely give you some great advice.
Would you like to dive on the wreck? Please let us know. If you’d like to do a night dive or more than 10 dives, you can also let us know in advance.
Day 7 | Exploring the Island Itself
Tomorrow you’ll be flying on to the Cagayan Islands, so there are no more dives scheduled for today. However, there are plenty of things to do above water, so this is a great opportunity to explore the island on your own. There’s no set itinerary for today, so you can choose whatever you’d like to do.
A great activity for today is an excursion to Danjugan Island. This is a marine and nature reserve located 3 kilometers off the coast of Cauagan. The island is 1.5 kilometers long and 0.5 kilometers wide at its widest point. It has five lagoons and is covered with limestone forests that provide a habitat for many animal species.
During the excursion you can snorkel, kayak, hike, bird watch and learn more about the animals that live there. Snorkeling equipment is included as is lunch, snacks and unlimited coffee and drinking water.
Another highly recommended option is to take a local transfer to Sugar Beach near Sipalay. This spot guarantees a wonderful day at a “secret beach.” Take a long walk along the beach, relax in a hammock under the palm trees—with or without a book—and enjoy some delicious drinks and food at a few beach bars.
Day 8 | A Special Flight to Cagayan
In the morning, you’ll head to the regional airport in Sipalay. A short 25-minute flight will take you to Cagayan. You’ll be flying in a small plane, which makes the journey itself an adventure. The islands are about 120 kilometers apart, and along the way you’ll enjoy stunning views of the sea and the various islets you pass.
Upon arrival at the airport, a shuttle will be waiting to take you to the Easy Diving Eco Camp. It is one of the few accommodations on the island. That’s what makes this island so special: it’s very remote, small, and still entirely inhabited by Filipinos.
Due to this remote location, there are set arrival and departure days. The small plane flies only once a week. It can accommodate up to 12 divers, so with this group, you’ll spend the entire week in your own little piece of paradise.
You can choose to stay in a luxury glamping tent or a stone bungalow, with or without air conditioning. In addition, everything is included in your stay: all meals and all dives. The only additional charges are for the use of air conditioning in the bungalow and for alcoholic beverages.
Days 9–15 | Diving at the Cagayan Islands
Over the next few days, you’ll be diving around the Cagayan Islands. The boat departs in the morning, and you’ll spend the entire day on the water. Breakfast will be served as soon as you arrive at the first dive site. Coffee, tea, water, and snacks will also be available. After breakfast, you’ll listen to the briefing, and then it’s time for the first dive of the day!
You’ll do a total of 3 dives per day. Normally, you’ll start with a deep dive, and the other two dives will be shallower. Between dives, there’s plenty of time to rest, and lunch is served on board. Around 4:00 p.m., the boat returns to the eco camp where you’re staying.
Day 16 & 16 | Back Home
Today you will pack your suitcase again and leave the Easy Diving Eco Camp at Cagayancillo. You will be transferred back to Sipalay Airport by Cessna.
After that, the choice is yours. If you’ve used up all your vacation days, we’ll have no choice but to take you back to Bacolod Airport and book your return trip. You’ll then be able to look back on a wonderful adventure.
If you’d like to extend your diving vacation in the Philippines, you might consider staying at the Easy Diving & Beach Resort or the more luxurious Manami Resort in Sipalay. Here, you can go on a few more dives or just relax. If you’d like to see more of the area, we can also arrange a multi-day tour of Negros or a trip back to Manila first to explore the island of Luzon. Why not give us a call to discuss your preferences?
The accommodation
The stay and surroundings
Amila Dive Beach Resort - Negros
At Amila Dive Beach Resort you will have an unforgettable diving vacation in the Philippines. The small-scale resort has 8 spacious rooms and is far from mass tourism. On the beach, enjoy the beautiful view during sunset. The crystal clear water and the island of Danjugan then brighten up intensely.
Each room is designed with your comfort in mind. Equipped with king size bed, air conditioning and private bathroom with rain shower. Each morning you will wake up to the sound of breaking waves. Enjoy a cup of coffee or tea from your private balcony or terrace.
The restaurant is located on the beach so flip-flops and shoes aside and walk on your bare feet the whole dive vacation. By the way, they serve delicious Filipino and international dishes.
The resort has an on-site diving school Easy Divers Cauayan. After a day of diving, relax in the infinity pool or on the sun beds on the beach. The crew at the beach bar will lovingly bring you a local beer or a refreshing cocktail.
Easy Diving Eco Camp - Cagayancillo
Easy Divers Eco Camp is located on Cagayancillo, belonging to the archipelago of Cagayan Islands. A few of these islands are only inhabited including this island. On the southern tip of the island stands the eco camp. With six 2-person tents with a fixed bed with comfortable mattresses. There are also 5 stone bungalows with 2 twin beds or a double bed. If you stay in the tents, you will use an on-site toilet and shower building. If you stay in the bungalows then you have your own sanitary facilities. If you want air conditioning in the bungalow, you pay a surcharge of € 50. When booking you can decide in which accommodation you want to stay. If you change your mind and there is availability you can still change your accommodation.
You will stay on a full board basis. Snacks, water, soft drinks, coffee and tea are included. Only alcohol you pay for. Because the islands are remote, not everything is available. Meals are therefore simple and local style. However, they are freshly prepared every day.
The dive shop
Learn more about the dive center
Easy Diving Cauayan & Cagayan
Travel costs
What is included
This dive vacation combining diving at Amila Dive Beach Resort and the Cagayan Dive Safari can be booked from € 2.697 per person based on two people in a King Birdview or King Garden room at the Amila Dive & Beach Resort. On Cagayancillo you will stay in a glamping tent or bungalow without air conditioning. The dive trip can be extended as desired. A number of things are included as standard in this travel package.
Prices are based on low season from July through November. December through the end of June is the high season. Prices are subject to price changes, increases or changing exchange rates. Flights are always based on the cheapest possible booking class.
Want to know more about this diving vacation to Cagayan Island and Cauayan? Get in touch with us!
Included in this diving trip, from € 2.697 p.p.
- Cauagan
- 5 nights in a King Garden or Birdview room
- Stay on a bed and breakfast basis
- Diving Package with 6 Dives
- Cagayan
- 7 nights at Easy Diving Eco Resort in a glamping tent or bungalow without air conditioning
- Accommodation on full board basis
- Coffee, tea, drinking water, and snacks
- Diving Package with 19 Dives
- General
- 1 night at a hotel near the airport on Day 2
- Stay on a bed & breakfast basis
- Return flight Sipalay - Cagayan Island by Cessna
- Return transfers
- VZR & Administration fee
Excluding
- Flight Amsterdam - Manila or Cebu € 900
- Domestic return flight to Bacolod € 120
- Marine Park Fee a 300 PHP € 4 p.p.p.d.
Optional
- Night dive surcharge € 80 p.p.
- Rental diving equipment € 7
- Day excursion: Danjugan Island, incl lunch p.p.
- Surcharge superior room at Amila Resort
- Single room supplement
- Extension of trip
Email this diving holiday
Want to save or share the details of this diving trip with someone? You can do so by sending the trip by email.
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Frequently asked questions about this diving holiday
General diving information
No, but every diver is required to bring their own dive computer, an underwater light, and a Surface Marker Buoy (SMB).
You’ll have a total of 6 dives at Cauagan and 19 dives at Cagayan, so you’ll make a maximum of 25 dives during this trip.
- Cauagan: 2 dives per day
- Cagayan: 3 dives per day
- Cauagan: All dive sites are between 5 and 20 minutes away by boat.
- Cagayan: It depends on the itinerary, but you’ll be on the water all day in any case. The boat leaves before breakfast, and you’ll be back around 4:00 p.m.
Diving equipment
Yes, 15L tanks and Nitrox is available at the resort. There are no 15L tanks and Nitrox available at the Cagayan Islands
Yes, you can rent diving equipment here. Ca. €12 per day for full diving equipment.
Activities, Excursions and Wellness
Yes, you can also do excellent snorkeling at this diving destination. The Dive safari is for divers only, though.
You can book a number of excursions, such as a day trip to Danjugan Island. You can also head inland on Negros for a hike, for example. You can book these excursions at the front desk once you arrive. You can also book a massage.
It is not a resort to go to with small children. Above all, it is a resort away from the crowds and masses. Older children staying in their own rooms are allowed.
No spa and wellness is not available at the Amila Dive Beach Resort.
Accommodation / Resort
Yes, all rooms have air conditioning in the resort. At the ecocamp, only the bungalows have air conditioning. This is for a fee of about €50 per week.
Yes, there is Wi-Fi at the resort. At the eco-camp, there is cell service but no Wi-Fi. It’s best to buy a local SIM card in advance.
Yes, there is a restaurant at the resort that serves local and international cuisine. At the Easy Diving eco camp, all meals are included.
Yes, at the Amila Dive & Beach Resort there is an infinity pool. There is no swimming pool at the Easy Diving Eco Camp.
During this diving vacation in the Philippines, you will make boat dives on reefs around the islands.
A 5- to 20-minute boat ride. If you’re staying at the resort, you’ll set out for a 1-tank dive and then return to the resort. During the dive safari, you’ll set out in the morning and return to the eco camp in the afternoon after 3 dives. On the last day, you’ll do 2 dives because of your flight back to Sipalay the next day.
You can go on two dives in the morning and two dives in the afternoon. At sunset, you can go on a night dive. During the dive safari, you’ll go on a total of 19 dives spread out over the course of your stay.
You are allowed a maximum of 25 kg per person on the Cessna flight from Sipalay to Cagayan.
Yes, you can join night dives and even a fluorescent dive when staying at the resort. During
To fully enjoy all dives, an Advanced Open Water certification is required. ALs you have an Open Water, an option is to get it on site at the Amila Resort.
The diving school is in the resort and at the eco camp
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